126 Richard Frotscher’s Almanac and Garden Manual 
DHOURO, OR EGYPTIAN CORN. 
(Sorghum Vulgare.) 
By E. M. Hupson. 
This cereal is ordinarily supposed to be a native of Asia, but it is 
eultivated largely as well in Africa, some portions of the West Indies 
and South America. In the United States it was formerly planted 
quite extensively in the Southern States; but at present, many more 
times as much of itis grown in Kansasas in ali the rest of this country. 
Its name varies almost with the locality in which itis raised; and the 
varieties—the results of sports or crossings—are almost as numerous 
as its designations. In Kansas, which must be regarded as the leading 
locality of its present production in this country, two varieties mainly 
are cultivated, the Red and the White. Both of these are good, equally 
so, perhaps, unless as to productiveness, for itis generally believed 
that the Red produces much more grain than the White. Also it is 
said that the Red will ripen seed farther North than the JVhite; but in 
the Southern States this is of no consideration, in as much as both, in 
one season, have produced seed from which a second seed-bearing 
crop has been produced without difficulty. Nor does it appear, as far 
as actual experiment has gone, that the Red is much, if any, more 
productive than the White in the Southern belt, at least near the Gulf 
coast. 
In nutrition the grain is but little behind wheat; while its yield 
per acre is greater than any cereal in the known world. From 100 to 
150 bushels of grain on rich lands is but an ordinary yield; and itis 
claimed that in Kansas this year near 200 bushels per acre have been 
produced. This is quite possible of belief to those who saw the mag- 
nificent panicles on exhibition at Atlanta, at the International Cotton 
Exposition this autumn. In certain portions of Kansas, where pro- 
longed droughts are usual, its cultivation has recently been success- 
fully introduced as a substitute for wheat; for drought seems to have 
but little influence to retard its growth. Indeed, when planted side 
by side with Indian Corn, the latter from drought has been curled and 
twisted almost beyond hope, the former exhibited no external effects 
of the dry season. 
Of course the yield varies with the soil on which it grows, the 
richer the soil the greater the yield; but it will grow well on soil how- 
ever poor; in this respect taking precedence even of the cow pea. It 
grows from six to twelve feet high, and may be repeatedly cut for 
green soiling. For, not only as a cereal, making a meal far better 
than that of Indian Corn, but also as a forage plant the Dhouwro is in- 
valuable. Not only does it spring up from the stubble, when cut at 
from 3 to 5 feet high, but also after maturing the seed-heads it sends 
forth shoots or suckers from lower joints, which in turn produce 
smaller heads. It isrichin saccharine matter and affordsa good, 
though rough hay or fodder when cured. Cut when very young and 
succulent it is not easy to cure unless the weather be fine; but, ‘as it 
continues to grow till frost, making new suckers from the joints all 
the time, it may be allowed to mature seed, be cut and then easily 
